This is the kind of stuff scares 355 buyers...

That's the best advice ever coming from you, the nameless, location-less internet spam....

I love guys that hide behind the keyboard..

 

People tend to forget the initial price of the 355. Just becuase the car is less than half price now, dont expect the repair costs to magically follow suit. If you want the car to have a service history, thats the price of admission-Take it or leave it.

If you buy the car to own it, (not flip it) then invest in some tools (budget 3k), a nice four post lift (budget 3k) in the garage, and a couple of spares. Youll be amazed at how easily it is to grab cheap parts when you don't need them that instant. Instead of looking down your nose at the mechanic at the dealer, strike up a cordial friendship-you may need his expertise later. Jacks and an engine lift and stand (budget $1500)

In short, wrench the car yourself, repair bills be damned. (Budget Priceless)

And people remember that this is a Ferrari. Don't expect it to have the build quality of a Duesenberg or Talbot Lago, much less a 1993 Camry.

 

Dave, you need to respect your elders. Please rethink what you post.

As for the actual topic... I love this repair cost nonsense. Scrap all the 355's! It will go the way of the Dino.....

 

Really? That's not what the people I've helped have to say..

 

This is in response to the original post. Seriously if anyone thinks buying any F car is going to be a cost effective undertaking they are really mistaken and completely misunderstand these cars. Bottom line, you got to pay to play and doing some of the work yourself is truly helpful/cost effective. I see so many (pardon the expression) clowns buy cheap 3__ whatever Ferrari thinking it's going to be like a Porsche to keep up and the first time any mishap happens they sell them or just keep driving the crap out of them until those cars are worth so little. You would hate to see my 3 ring binder on my car, from the Window Sticker (from the 1st of owner) to a few weeks ago. It would scare the crap out of most. But the experienced/knowledgable buyer would appreciate the history in that binder and those receipts! Ultimately that is the price of admission, it's not for everyone. And if it is not for you, no sweat get yourself something a bit more common like a P car. They are great cars, just very common in my part of Los Angeles. And not that I am taking any sides in this thread but FBB has been very helpful to many on this site.

 

Bob
If your going to change your coils don't buy the ferrari ones.I changed one for a friend of mine and matched it up it was the same as a land rover. brand was INTERMOTOR Part #UF614 $65.00

 

Great info! Be sure to post that in the 355 parts interchange sticky!

 

Bruce
I have about two pages of interchange parts for a 355.To be honest a friend of mine gave me his list when he sold his 355 and i have since added to it.You would be shocked how many parts interchange from other cars for a fraction of ferrari prices.I will post my list soon.

 

I don't know of too many shops that would tie up a hoist for three weeks while the waiting for shocks to be rebuilt. I won't do it. That would cost me 100/per hour each hour that car is sitting doing nothing on a hoist. The shocks themselves do fail. Usually they make noise, or the adjuster gear on the top breaks. Only fairly recently has that little gear become available seperatly through hill engineering.

I much prefer to replace the cooling fans in pairs. They go with regularity. You don't want that phone call a week later with the customer complaining his car is over heating again.

 

Evil? Come on now. I'll agree we don't know what was in that invoice. As to the rest sure, maybe one shock couldn't be repaired, but all 4 on a 10,000 mile car? That would speak to other, bigger problems imo.

As to me being a parrot, I already knew about Bilstein as they rebuilt a shock for my (now sold) z71 4x4 - which I think only cost $50 since it was non-adjustable - before I had even joined this board and I think I knew about DeltaV from DeltaV posting on here. I'm sure I've learned from you but I don't keep track of where I learned everything I know, so it will be tough for me to put correct attributes in each of my posts to avoid stealing your thunder in the future, I hope you'll understand.

 

Fair enough....I jumped to conclusion about you as you jumped to conclusion about 10,000 shock replacement. They made alcohol for moments like those. If we meet one day the beer's on me. My apologies.

 

I propose we all meet someday and have drinks and become friends instead of the useless arguments. Let's all just get along. Enjoy the day fellas ;-)

 

+1

 

No worries, I'll buy the 2nd one.